AstroWorld memories 20 years later after closing

Twenty years ago, Six Flags AstroWorld closed its gates for the last time on October 30, 2005.

 Iconic rides like the Texas Cyclone, Greezed Lightnin’, and Ultra Twister took their final spins before much of the park was later auctioned off to the public. 

Reflecting on the legacy of Houston’s beloved theme park are Houston media blogger Mike McGuff, former AstroWorld employee and Super Happy Incredible Toys owner Juan Salazar, and Donald Hayes, curator of the traveling AstroWorld Theme Park Museum exhibit and collection. 

 Houston Matters, hosted by Craig Cohen, is your daily guide to the people, places, issues, and ideas shaping Greater Houston. Catch the show live on YouTube weekdays from 9–10 a.m. CT or tune in to News 88.7 on Houston Public Media.\

- Where did those Astroworld rides go?
- VIDEO: The real reasons Astroworld closed
- The former coasters of Six Flags Astroworld!

VIDEO: The real reasons Astroworld closed

I was pleasantly surprised when Astroworld's 50th anniversary came around last week and the Houston media covered it very well.

One of the hot topics on this blog when I started it back in 2005 was our then recently shuttered Houston amusement park.

Right before its big 5-0 (or what would have been), Defunctland, a popular YouTube channel which describes itself as a series discussing the history of extinct theme park and themed entertainment experiences did a video on our beloved Astroworld.

It's a very informative video - especially when it touches on why the park actually closed.

- How Houston became the biggest U.S. city without a theme park   

What was also interesting was reading the video's comments. Defunctland has viewers from all over and many said this was the saddest video they had ever viewed on the channel. I agree.

Way to go Six Flags! In the past the company has sent me press releases. No chance any of that news is getting on this blog.

Last spring break I actually broke my boycott of Six Flags. I did it for my kids. Since they don't have a Houston amusement park at this point (Grand Texas where are you?), we didn't want to deprive them of the fun experience. So on our trip to San Antonio, we spent a day at Fiesta Texas. I felt like a cheater going there.

That was my first time ever being there and let me tell you, it is no Astroworld. It was just OK. Nothing amazing.

Here's the funny part, I saw A TON of Houston related shirts in that park. Now, some of those people could have lived in other Texas cities and were just jumping on the 2017 World Championship Houston Astros bandwagon, but I would guess many lived in or around the Bayou City.

All that money could have stayed here. And big time roller coaster enthusiasts could have visited both parks.

I kept thinking no ride competes with the back seat of the Texas Cyclone, the anticipation of the Sky Screamer or the thrill of Greased Lightnin'!

- AstroWorld's 50th Anniversary: A "Magical Time" for the Park's Employees

- See what the Astroworld site looks like 50 years after the park opened

- Astroworld fan shares his photos, memories

Talking Astroworld on "Houston Matters"

The fine folks at Houston Public Media, News 88.7's "Houston Matters" (weekdays at 9am) have invited me on the show this morning to talk Astroworld memories.

LISTEN HERE

The park would have been 55 years old in 2023.

Here are some Astroworld posts from over the years:

- VIDEO: The real reasons Astroworld closed
- The former coasters of Six Flags Astroworld!
- Where did those Astroworld rides go?

Astroworld being torn apart - a satellite view of fun destruction

This post actually makes me sad. Thanks to Bing and satellite mapping, we can go back in time and see a very depressing site - the dismantling of Astroworld.

It's kind of odd how you see it though.

- First click here.
- At the top of the screen under the Aerial tab, click the "Bird's eye" view.
- Then move the view around with your mouse or the arrows until it goes black while loading a new image (Do this by going past the current vacant lot where the theme park once stood).
- Move back and it will transport you back in time like a hot tub time machine to just a few years ago (not to the actual 1980s)
- Shed a tear

RELATED
- Old video taken of Astroworld when it was actually open
- VIDEO: Astroworld's last days
- Where did those Astroworld rides go?

(Thanks Tim)

Astroworld is the new slum land?

BlogHOUSTON posted an article about the problems concerning the old Astroworld land. You know, that big eyesore that sits over on 610 across from Reliant Park? Maybe I should call it that sinking feeling in Houstonian's stomachs as they drive by and remember what was.

From the Chronicle:

For many Houstonians, AstroWorld was a place of fun and memories. Now, the 104 acres that once were home to the Serial Thriller, the Dungeon Drop and the Texas Cyclone have been replaced with 3-foot weeds, grass and unkempt shrubbery.
This week, the city gave the owners 30 days to clean up the former AstroWorld location or possibly face fines up to $1,500 as well as a cleanup bill.
Angel-McIver Interests, a Conroe-based land development company, bought the site for $77 million in 2005 from Six Flags Inc. when the property value rose and attendance began declining.
"It's been too wet to mow," said Michael McIver, president of Angel-McIver. "As soon as the weather clears up, we will mow it." He added that the property has been mowed twice since his company bought it.

READ THE REST
I find it funny when I see a Six Flags over Texas ad or press release. Does Six Flags really think Houstonians will drive up to Arlington and say, 'Geez, you shut down our park, but I can't wait to drive four hours and pay to come to the Metroplex park!!!!'" I'm thinking no.

Ever since Astroworld was let go to the point of shutting it down, I've said on this very blog that I can see Tillman Fertitta stepping up and opening a new park. Over at TBIFOC, a post only made me feel better about my prediction.

Fertitta is building a wooden roller coaster in Kemah. Sure it's making area homeowners mad, but I'm thinking selfishly as a coaster enthusiast right now. I hope this coaster is equal to the Texas Cyclone.

Further more, I hope this is Fertitta testing the waters for a Houston amusement park. If anyone in town can do it, it's him. And no I don't get invited to his parties.

My Astroworld tribute page

Early Tuesday morning I posted my finished Astroworld tribute page on abc13.com.  There was lots of interest all day.  For those of you who don't know, Astroworld was Houston's big amusement park from the late 1960s to 2005.

The anniversary of Astroworld's closing is nearing (Oct. 30) so I thought I would go through the KTRK video archive in my spare time and see what I could find concerning the park.

WATCH THE CLIPS

I put up raw video of The Texas Cyclone, aerials of the park, The Looping Starship and more.  I also included a Heidi Jones (now of WABC) story on Astroworld's history.

VIDEO: AstroWorld and WaterWorld TV spot from the 1980s

Now that the land where AstroWorld formerly sat has been sold, let's look back at a TV commercial for the theme park from the early 1980s. This was back in the park's heyday. Remember when there were entertainers, mascots, marching bands...etc.

The commercial promotes the new Sky Screamer ride and the brand new park WaterWorld.

*BONUS Watch a clip from the 1975 documentary The Pleasures of this Stately Dome with KPRC 2 anchor Ron Stone talking about the Astrodome's construction. Lots of bloggers are calling for the Eighth Wonder of the World to be torn down. As a Native Houstonian, I say DON'T DO IT!

RELATED
- Astroworld being torn apart - a satellite view of fun destruction
- My Astroworld tribute page
- Where did those Astroworld rides go?

VIDEO: Astroworld's last days

Astroworld was a topic that I wrote about earlier this week and now I have an update via The Houstonist. They found a very funny and strange video made about our favorite dead Houston amusement park:

Meet David Purdie, a true AstroWorld fan: When he heard that the park was going to close, Purdie decided to capture its last days on film. With a hand-held video camera, he visited AstroWorld every weekend in October 2005, filming everything he could — from the drive down Kirby to the walk over the pedestrian bridge to the slow climb up the first incline on the Texas Cyclone. And then, when cranes and bulldozers moved in and began dismantling the park, Purdie filmed that, too. When it was all over, the AstroWorld site was an empty field — and Purdie had 150 hours of footage documenting the park's death. Now he's compiled some of that footage into a three-minute film, Astrowhirled (watch it here), which should be a trip down memory lane for any longtime Houstonian.

READ MORE

Astroworld memories 1968-2005

Today in 2005, Astroworld stopped having fun

From June 1, 1968 to October 30, 2005 Astroworld thrilled Houstonians and out of towners alike. On this anniversary of its demise, listen to my interview on Houston Public Media KUHF 88.7's Houston Matters about Astroworld memories.


RELATED
Six Flags Astroworld Memories Friday, September 16, 2005 By: Jim Bell

VIDEO: Astroworld footage - then and now

$77 million later, Astroworld is still in the news.

Earlier this week, I received some info about the Astroworld (R.I.P.) ride auction.

Then blogger Mark Shields posted his Vlog in my comments (OK you stalwarts, it might not really be a Vlog b/c it doesn't use XML).

Still pretty cool.

The video is of the park from 1980. Happy times. Then fast forward to 2006, he's on camera standing on a very large dirt field. Shed a tear folks.

Turns out Shields has an entire blog about Astroworld.

And make sure to check out his car! Marty McFly doesn't have a thing on this guy...

So who bought the AstroWorld rides?

The Six Flags AstroWorld auction got coverage as far away as Los Angeles. But we never learned who bought what. At least I didn't see it.

In a previous post, I listed some of the rides for sale. (Greezed Lightnin', XLR8, Vipir...etc)

As someone who is a native Houstonian and who loved going to the park, I have the right to know who bought my precious rides! Right?

Enter Six Flags AstroWorld spokeswoman Donna Marie Jendritza. I've worked with her on occasions on stories regarding Astroworld and her previous PR gigs. She's a nice person. So I thought I would shoot her an email inquiring who bought what. Guess what? I never heard a thing back.

Maybe the theme park dumped her like they did our hearts. Hopefully not.

So if anyone hears anything, please let me know.

Selling off Astroworld

Even though I don't want to admit it, Six Flags has killed off Astroworld and now the place is on the auction block.

I'd like to meet the person buying Greezed Lightnin', XLR8, Vipir...etc. Can't help but wonder if someone like Tillman Fertitta will step up and build a new park?

My wife wants The Texas Cyclone to be turned into a giant bonfire, kind of like a viking funeral.

Here are the details:

PUBLIC AUCTION

January 6-8, 2006
TIME 9AM Start Fri & Sat, 11AM Start Sun

PLACE
SIX FLAGS ASTROWORLD
9001 KIRBY DRIVE
HOUSTON, TX 77054-2503

CONTACT apiccola@sftp.com
AUCTIONEER Kenneth Dixon (TX LIC Pending)
TERMS

* 10% BUYERS PREMIUM

* ALL LOTS SOLD AS IS WHERE IS WITH NO WARRANTIES

* ALL SALES FINAL, NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES

* CASH & APPROVED CREDIT CARDS

* FULL PAYMENT DUE ON DAY OF SALE

* SOME ITEMS AUCTIONED WITH RESERVE

* NO MINORS ALLOWED ON PREMISES (18+)

* POSTINGS AUCTION DAY SUPERCEDE ALL PREVIOUS

* BUYER REGISTRATION REQUIRED ON AUCTION DAY

Astroworld

Rock the Bayou at Houston's old Astroworld

What happens when I drop off the Internet for a weekend?  I miss out on the news concerning Rock the Bayou.  Thanks to everyone who emailed me about this.

http://www.rockthebayou.com/

So there is going to be a giant rock festival on the old Astroworld site in Houston this coming Labor Day weekend:

Friday, August 29:

QUEENSRYCHE
RATT
SKID ROW
Y & T
LYNCH MOB
GILBY CLARKE
JETBOY

More artists to be announced!

Saturday, August 30:

SAMMY HAGAR
DOKKEN
GREAT WHITE
ENUFF ZNUFF
BULLET BOYS W/ STEVEN ADLER
BRITNY FOX
LITTLE CAESAR

More artists to be announced!

Sunday, August 31:

ALICE COOPER
WARRANT
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
SLAUGHTER
DANGEROUS TOYS
LILLIAN AXE
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
BLACK N BLUE

More artists to be announced!

Monday, September 1:

BRET MICHAELS
TWISTED SISTER
FIREHOUSE
BROKEN TEETH

More artists to be announced!

SECOND STAGE

To be announced!

If you haven't been by Astroworld lately, you are not missing much.  It is just an empty field still.  But all you need is a couple of stages, concessions and porta potties. 

I need to know more about this festival.  If you know anything please email in!

RELATED
- Is This The New Texas Jam?

The former coasters of Six Flags Astroworld!

I didn't realize a lot of Astroworld's rides had been moved from another park and re-branded for Houston!

RELATED
VIDEO: The real reasons Astroworld closed

See the Astroworld model that started it all

While we don't have Houston's Six Flags Astroworld around anymore, there are still signs of its existence popping up.  Now a new exhibit is showing off the original model that started it all:

Exactly five years ago, On October 30, 2005, Astroworld closed its gates for the last time, yet the Alpine Sleigh Ride, Le Taxi, Spinout, the Astrowheel, Astroneedle and the Lost World Adventure live on for the 50,000 Houstonians who visited the park on its opening weekend and the millions who followed them.

Optical Project is commemorating this Houston landmark by presenting the park's original model, built in 1967 by Ed Henderson Productions. The model represents "The Wonderful World of Fun" as originally planned, with the attractions and rides in place for the grand opening of the park in June 1968. The model is based on the park layout designed by seminal theme park architect Randall Duell for Judge Roy Hofheinz, flamboyant developer of the Astrodomain. READ THE REST

Opening reception with Mr. Henderson, Saturday, October 30, 5-7 p.m.

OPTICAL PROJECT
1125 E 11th St.,
Houston, TX
gallery hours: Saturdays 12-5 or by appointment, 713 863-7112

Optical Project is an artist-run gallery by Houston artist and writer Bill Davenport.

Insane rollercoasters rated!

Brian must be thinking about getting his adrenaline rush on when he sent me the following links. These are countdowns of the ultimate theme park thrill rides. Some I would never ride, others I would be very excited to climb aboard. Like this one (watch the video included through the link).

CHECK OUT BRIAN'S LINKS
- Theme Park Rides That Pushed the Limits of Common Sense
- Thrill to the world's tallest, fastest and longest rides

RELATED
- My Astroworld tribute page
- VIDEO: Astroworld's last days
- Houston Astroworld full coverage

Astroworld reborn as giant rodeo parking lot

I guess I can believe that the old Astroworld land will become a giant Houston rodeo parking lot. What else is it good for? Although we kept hearing how valuable it was before the last ride came down. Oh well.

It's a good excuse to pull out that page I built in October that showcases old video and pictures of Astroworld from the KTRK Channel 13 archives.

See the Houston rodeo news section I just built.

KPRC 2 and Texas media National Headliner Award winners

KPRC 2 Houston and other Texas media outlets were 2022 winners in the 88th National Headliner Awards for work done in 2021.

According to the award website, "the National Headliner Awards program is one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic merit in the communications industry."

SEE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

TELEVISION

Broadcast or cable television stations newscast

First Place
“News at 6: Tragedy at Astroworld”
KPRC staff
KPRC

Judges’ comments: This Astroworld newscast brought out the exceptional chaos with an emphasis on concertgoers in this tragedy. This was quite an expansive edition of an investigation that went beyond the normal. Excellent use of visuals including strong social media graphics. The strong collection of first hand accounts of what happened made the story stick. 

WATCH THE NEWSCAST HERE

Broadcast or cable television stations public service

Third Place
“Powerless”
KXAS TV staff
KXAS TV

Broadcast or cable television stations documentary or series of reports on the same subject

First Place
“Paper Tag Nation”
KXAS TV staff
KXAS TV

Judges’ comments: KXAS uncovers a huge scam operating right under your nose – or at least on the bumper in front of you. Texas temporary tags are being sold fraudulently on a $200 million black market abetted by a lack of oversight at the Texas DMV. KXAS pioneered media oversight into the DMV database in exposing this scam.

Broadcast or cable television stations investigative reporting

First Place
“Risky Rides”
KXAN Investigates Staff
KXAN

Judges’ comments: The Risky Rides paper license problem reveals an in depth look at temporary tags to cover up crimes. Excellent dig into an underground problem that allows fugitives to remain in plain sight. The business of these tags cannot be understated and this team of journalists had the tools to discern and sort through the massive paperwork. Graphics were exceptional and the segment had solid storytelling and issues that affect the community.

Broadcast or cable television stations health/science reporting

Third Place
“Plan C Pills: The Debate Over Safety & Access”
KXAN Investigates Staff
KXAN

DAILY NEWSPAPERS AND NEWS SYNDICATES

News series in newspapers not in top 20 media market

Third Place
“Fatal Freeze”
San Antonio Express-News staff
San Antonio Express-News

Special or feature column on one subject by an individual

Second Place
Mike Sutter
San Antonio Express-News

Third Place
Mark Lamster
The Dallas Morning News

Sports feature writing by an individual or team

Third Place
Callie Caplan
The Dallas Morning News

Education writing by an individual or team

Third Place
María Méndez
Austin American-Statesman

Health, medical and science writing by an individual or team

Second Place
Nicole Villalpando
Austin American-Statesman

Best political coverage

Second Place
“Texas legislative coverage”
Robert T. Garrett, Allie Morris and Lauren McGaughy
The Dallas Morning News

PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHICS FOR DAILY NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINES, NEWS SERVICE AND SYNDICATES

Spot news photography

Third Place
“Mandate Opponents”
Elias Valverde II
The Dallas Morning News

Feature photography

First Place
“Wally Funk”
Lola Gomez
The Dallas Morning News

Judges’ comments: The 82 year-old astronaut Wally Funk waves to the crowd during her Wally Funk Parade. The juxtaposition of her to the crowd of Star Wars clad onlookers elevates the humor in this picture.

Second Place
“Head Over Heels in a Field of Blue”
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News

Third Place
“Gay Bars”
Juan Figueroa
The Dallas Morning News

Individual photo portfolio

Third Place
Tom Fox
Dallas Morning News

Single day photo story

First Place
“Journey fulfilled”
Smiley N. Pool
The Dallas Morning News

Judges’ comments: Earnestine Tarrant styled hair in her salon for 41 years – making a lifetime of friendships. Photographer Smiley N. Pool photographed her last day "at the office." He made a heart-warming set of pictures reflecting the kindness and caring nature of Earnestine.

Multiple day photo story

Third Place
“The Marr, the merrier”
Vernon Bryant
The Dallas Morning News

Pictorial

Third Place
“Taking Flight”
Tom Fox
Dallas Morning News

Digital presentation of a single features topic

Social media

First Place
“Winter Freeze”
Dallas Morning News staff
Dallas Morning News

Judges’ comments: When the cold came and the power went, the Dallas Morning News made brilliant use of social media. Its use of SMS updates and Twitter and Instagram posts and videos not only kept its readers informed as conditions changed, but its interactive posts also served to connect them.

True Blood actress in AstroWorld TV commercial?

Last week we took a trip down memory lane with an old 1980s AstroWorld television commercial. Wasn't that fun?

Now I am being taken to task by Houston refugee Super Dave in Austin, TX.

"The little girl who gets the balloon at :16 from the raccoon is none other than Houston-bred Ashley Jones, formerly of The Young and the Restless and now of HBO's True Blood," he wrote me. "She was in my class in Westbury Christian where her mom was my Kindergarten teacher. If I'm not mistaken, she went to school with you too at Lamar."

According to actress Ashley Jones' Wikipedia entry, she attended Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) but graduated from Lamar High School. I don't think I remember her though.

Well Super Dave, next time I will research the YouTube videos I post here more thoroughly. Where's Wayne Dolcefino when you need him?

VIDEO: Old Houston television commercials

Some very smart soul posted links to old Houston television commercials on HAIF the other day. Then others started to add to the list!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Here is what you will see:

Thunderbolt commercial
Westwood Mall (1989)
Cal Worthington Chevrolet (1990)
Colonial House apartments
Houston Post from 1986
Astros - Burger King tie in
Astroworld from 1980
Mossy Olds from 1985
Stevens & Pruett circa 1987
Clear Lake Dodge (remember this guy?)
93Q/John Lander and the phrase that pays
Astroworld 1980
Tillis Whataburger commercials
Jose Cruz
A-1 Mobile Homes
Superior Waterbeds
Elvin Hayes for Yellow Cab